The Pledge of Allegiance Act amends the Revised Code to require daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in various school districts, including city, local, exempted village, and joint vocational schools. Each board of education must adopt a policy detailing the time and manner of the recitation, ensuring that participation is voluntary and does not violate constitutional rights. The bill prohibits any alterations to the Pledge's wording as defined by federal law and encourages the development of educational lessons related to the American flag and the Pledge. Notably, it deletes previous provisions that allowed school boards to opt out of including the Pledge in their programs, thereby standardizing its recitation across districts.

In addition to the Pledge-related provisions, the bill enhances governance and operational standards for community schools. It requires the establishment of a comprehensive plan for the governing authority's selection process, management, and student enrollment policies. Loans from school operators must be documented and bear fair market interest, and any external auditors hired must be independent. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of sponsors overseeing community schools, including compliance monitoring and performance evaluation, while allowing for contract renewals based on academic and compliance achievements. Furthermore, it repeals existing sections related to community schools and introduces new compliance requirements for STEM and college-preparatory boarding schools, ensuring adherence to legal standards akin to those of traditional school districts.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3313.602, 3314.03, 3326.11, 3328.24